Suspension fly-fan



(No Modem 2 Sheets-8heet 1.

W. G. WHITNER.

SUSPENSION FLY FAN.

No. 401,526. Patented Apr. 16 1889.

PETERS. Phnlc-Lvmogupivcl. Walhmgion, n. c.

(No llfiodel. 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. G. WHITNER. SUSPENSION FLY PAN.

No. 401,526. Patented Apr. 16, 188.9.

N. PEYERS. PhoivLithognpMr. W D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\YILLL'iM (Ill RCll \YIIITNER, OF ROCK llllil'i, SOUTH (IAROTJNA.

SUSPENSION FLY-FAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 401,526, dated April16, 1889.

Application l October 12, 1888. Serial No. 287,882. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM CHURCH \VHlTNER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Rock Hill, county of York, State of SouthCarolina, have invented new and useful Improvements in SuspensionFly-Fans, of which the following is a full and exactdescription,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, makingpart of this speciiication.

Figure 1 is an elevation of my invention with certain parts removed, inorder that the operating mechanism may be readily understood. Figs. 2and 3 represent different forms of fan-frames. Fig l is a key forwinding up the apparatus. Fig. 5 is an elevation show ing the sphericalcasing and pendant in sectional lines. Fig. (3 are perspective views ofpipes provided with locking-catches for holding the fan at any desiredelevation. Fig. 7 is a modification of same. Fig. 8 is a plan of anendless band or track; Fig. 9, a cross-secti on of one side of the trackand traveler conn eoted therewith. Fig. 10 represents the lower end ofthe fanshaft with a loose collar and spring-clutch fitted thereon.

A is a hollow sphere composed of two sections, 1) b, one having aninternally and the other an externally threaded rim to permit cf theirbeing secured together, as shown atc in Figs. 1. and 5.

The sphere A is adapted to be suspended from a frame or ceiling, (Z, bymeans of a spring, (2, and hooks f g. The hookf is pref erably connectedwith a socket-plate, 71, that is bolted or otherwise secured to theframe or ceiling, as shown at '1' i, and the hook g is socured to thetop of the sphere or to a socketplate, In, that is connected therewithin any desired manner. The socket-plates 71 and 7,: are each providedwith internal. threads, the former to receive the threaded end of adownwardly-projecting pipe, I, and the latter to re coive the butt of apipe, n,which is of less diameter than the pipe I, in order that it mayfreely operate therein. To permit of the sphere being held at a lowerelevationv than is shown in the drawings, the pipe 21 is provided with aseries of annular grooves, n n, (see Fig. 7,) and the pipe Zwith a sideperforation, I, for the reception of a pin, Z, which is formed at theupper end of a rock-arm or catch, 13, that is provided with a spring, 1,for holding it in a given position.

From the lower end of the rock-arm or catch B is suspended a cord, 0,whereby the spring 1 is depressed and the pin Z withdrawn from theadjacent groove of the inner pipe when it is desired to again change theelevation of the sphere, or to allow it to return to its normalposition.

Instead of the locking device above described, the inner pipe may beprovided at certain distances apart with a series of projections, a,(see Fig. 0,) and the interior of the outer pipe with a longitudinalgroove, a, having side grooves or perforations, a, at proper distancesapart to receive the projections a. of the inner pipe when the same hasbeen brought into line therewith.

The letter D designates a horizontal bar, the ends of which are securedby bolts 01' other means to opposite sides of the sphere. This barhasthe center of its lower edge provided with a vertical hole or socket, o,in which is journaled the upper end of a shaft, E, which projectsdownwardly through the lowest part of the sphere, where it is supportedby a shoulder or collar, 19.

The bar D has an opening in the center thereof for the passage of ashaft, F, that is supported at right angles therewith in journal-bearings q q, the latter continuedthrough the side of the sphere in order toallow one end of the shaft to project a sufficient distance outward toreceive thereupon a key, G, (see Fig. 4,) by which it is turned when themechanism, hereinafter described, is to be wound up for operation.

To the shaft F are seen red the inner ends of a pair of coil-springs, HII, the outer ends of which are anchored to the sphere, as shown at r r,or in any other suitable manner.

The shafts E F are connected by gearwheels s s, and the shaft F providedwith a fixed ratchet-wheel, I, the teeth of which are engaged by a pawl,u, that pivoted to the side of the bar I), as shown at u in Fig. 5, sothat a spring, it, also connected with the bar D, shall cause the pawlto act against the teeth, as required. To the rear end of the pawl issecured a chain or cord, L, which passes outwardly through an opening,1;, in

the bottom of the sphere, near which it is provided with a link or ring,1), for engaging a pin, 1:", when it is desired to remove the pawl fromcontact with the ratchet-wheel, and thereby release the springs foraction 011 the balance of the mechanism.

To the lower end of the shaft E is secured a collar, 00, which serves tosupport upon said shaft a loose sleeve, M, having pivots x at the lowerouter ends of same to receive the slotted ends of a pair of rods, N Nhaving fans 0 0 connected with the outer ends thereof, as shown inFig. 1. are pivotally connected the links P P, the upper ends of whichare pivoted to the lower ends of the travelers R R, which, in theoperation of the mechanism, move around an endless track or band, R thatis supported in a horizontal position below the sphere A by means ofbrace-rods, as shown at y y in Figs. 1 and 5.

The band or track R is preferably formed with an upper and lower flange,as shown in cross-section at Fig. 0, and the travelers may be providedwith friction-wheels z z to act against the opposite sides of the web ofthe track, and thereby prevent any binding or wedging on same.

The band or track R" may be made of circular form, if desired; but it ispreferred to make it of elliptical form, as shown in Fig. 8, as themovement of the travelers around same will cause the fans to move inwave-lines, the highest plane being obtained when the trav elers areoperating at the sides of the track and the lowest plane when movingaround the ends thereof. This feature is of especial importance,especially in fans which are intended for operation above oblong orextension tables, as it causes the fans to be raised above the heads ofthose seated at the sides of the tables, While the parties at the endsof the tables are beyond reach, and are therefore not annoyed by thedownward movement of the fans when in their proximity.

The letters T T represent spring-catches, which are secured to the sidesof the sphere, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, for the purpose of holding thefans in elevated positions when the mechanism is not in-operation.

The loose sleeve M has a spring-clutch, U,

To the rods N N secured at one side thereof, so that one edge of anopening in the top of the clutch shall impinge against the shaf t, andthus transmit its motion to the sleeve and fans connected therewith. Atsuch times as it may be necessary to wind up the mechanism the clutch ispressed outward and released from contact with the shaft, in whichposition it is held by a pin, 1, engaging a notch or perforation, 2, inthe adjacent edge of the clutch, as shown in Fig. 10. Thus the mechanismmay be wound up without imparting any motion to the fans.

The fan-frames may be made as shown in Figs. 2 or 3, or of any desiredform and provided with fringe, as shown in Fig. 1, should same berequired by the; purchaser.

Other adjustable devices may be employed for holding the sphere insuspension; or the same may be secured to pendants of given lengths.

Having described uiyinventiomwhat I claim as new, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, 1S

1. The combination, with avertical shaft to the fans provided with asleeve mounted on the shaft, of the elliptical-shaped track concentricwith the shaft and the links 0011- nected with the fans and providedwith travelers operating on the track, whereby a wavelike motion isimparted to the fans.

2. The combination, with a vertical shaft and the fans provided with asleeve mounted on the shaft, of the flanged horizontal elliptical trackand the travelers connected by links to the fans'and provided withdouble antifriction rollers operating on the inside and on the outsideof the said flanged track.

3. The combination,with the sphere provided with spring-catches T T,vertical shaft E, provided with collar as, loose sleeve M, fanarms N N,having slotted ends, and the pivots ac w, whereby said ends are securedto the sleeve, of the endless track R and the travelers R R and links PP, all arranged for operation substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WVM. CHURCH WHITN ER.

Witnesses:

R. T. LONG, FRANK C. WHITNER.

